About ArtLifting

Carl Tyler

Los Angeles

“Painting is exciting and can be fun. Everybody should strive to do it.”

Carl Tyler was born on June 13, 1962. He is originally from the Bay Area but now resides in Southern California. Carl lives with cerebral palsy and makes art at UCPLA Washington Place, where he attends the program two days a week. He says, “The program contributed to my life and I now have a sense of purpose. It’s the best program for me in LA. They support all my artistic endeavors.”

Carl loves sports - he treasures his San Francisco Giants championship ring replicas, and wears them on a chain every day. He loves to share the stories of these rings and talk about sports with new people. He spends the majority of his time at the UCPLA art program, where he creates art that depicts prominent sports figures - especially basketball stars. Carl enjoys accepting commissions to paint local or national sports heroes, interpreting each personality in his unique style.

Carl creates his art using adaptive technology created by the UCPLA art program. He paints with an adaptive grip tool that helps him hold the paintbrush. By completing the painting in taped-off sections, Carl achieves large portraits with bold colors. He then captures the unique details of each face utilizing paint and pen.

Carl makes art because he deeply enjoys the process of overcoming challenges. When asked about his artistic practice, Carl says: “I feel something special when I am making art. What I love about making art is seeing what I can do on my own. It is very exciting.” His medium of choice is painting because it allows him the freedom to be creative. He explains, “When making art, I feel energized and empowered. Art is important to me because it expands my horizon.”

Carl’s story is one of incredible resilience, will, determination and creativity. He shares an anecdote related to his birth: “I was told that I died five times when I was first born, yet I survived! It took a lot of patience and perseverance and family support for me to have been able to overcome the challenges of life. Especially from my mother and older brother.” Carl is proud to be able to share his art, his story, and his painted sports heroes with a larger platform through ArtLifting!